Color matched fashionable shoe insert for open shoes device and method

ABSTRACT

An orthotic insole device includes a first surface and a second surface. The orthotic insole device is useful for adhering to a shoe sandal to correct the shape of the foot of a user and may provide eased walking movement, and alternately reduce foot pain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of boot, shoe and legging existing art and more specifically relates to orthopedic insoles.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Foot orthoses generally are custom made inserts that are fitted for a person's foot and then placed in shoes. They are commonly referred to as orthotics, and the inserts provide support for the feet by redistributing ground reaction forces as well as realigning foot joints while standing, walking, or running. Not only do orthotics aid people with foot problems but they can benefit people with foot, knee, hip, and spine deformities as well. Orthotics can be used by everyone from athletes to the elderly to accommodate biomechanical deformities and a variety of soft tissue inflammatory conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Orthotic inserts are intended to be worn with closed toe shoes; however, people who use orthotic inserts may desire to wear sandals as well. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,612 to Epstein relates to an orthotic device. The described orthotic device includes an adhesive strip for use with a balancing disc for balancing the gait of the user, which comprises a medial polyester sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface. An acrylic adhesive is the disposed on both the upper and lower surfaces. A silicone release sheet is disposed atop the upper layer of acrylic adhesive and a circular polyester sheet is disposed over the lower layer of adhesive. The overlying polyester sheet is scored to facilitate removal of at least a portion thereof in order to expose a portion of the acrylic adhesive for immediate adherence to a surface of an associated balancing disc. After emplacement, the other portion of the polyester sheet is removed to secure the adhesive to the disc. When the silicone release sheet is removed, the disc can then be readily applied to an insole or to a footwear item.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known boot, shoe and legging art, the present disclosure provides a novel color matched fashionable shoe insert for open shoes. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a color matched fashionable shoe insert for open shoes.

An orthotic insole device is disclosed herein. The orthotic insole device includes a left insole and a right insole, each left insole and right insole including a first surface having an elevated heel-rest, a raised inner-foot arch support and an extension, the elevated heel-rest, the raised inner-foot arch support and the extension configured to supportably-retain a foot, and a second surface configured to be a substantially planar surface and having an adhesive layer proximate to the substantially planar surface with an adhesive backing proximate to the adhesive layer. The left insole and the right insole are configured in structural and functional combination be adhered to a shoe sandal to correct a shape of a foot of a user with the elevated heel-rest and the raised inner-foot arch, and to provide eased walking movement, and alternately to reduce pain.

A method of use of an orthotic insole device is also disclosed herein including holding the left insole, and alternately the right insole, grasping the adhesive backing, removing the adhesive backing, pressing the left insole, and alternately the right insole on a footbed of a shoe sandal, holding the shoe sandal, grasping the adhesive backing, and removing the left insole, and alternately the right insole, from the footbed of the shoe sandal.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a color matched fashionable shoe insert for open shoes, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the orthotic insole devices during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the orthotic insole device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the orthotic insole device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the orthotic insole device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the orthotic insole device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the left insole and the right insole, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a boot, shoe and legging existing art and more particularly to a color matched fashionable shoe insert for open shoes as used to improve orthotic insole effectiveness.

Generally, orthotic-style insoles give a degree of arch support and soft gel cushioning for the heel for both women and men. Most fashionable sandals are very flat, and by attaching this insole, the user is able to look fashionable and be comfortable at the same time. The insoles are color matched to the insole of many open sandals. The insoles are orthotic type inserts for shoes that people can wear in the summer, or with flip flops and sandals, and they may be color matched to blend with the footwear when in use.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an orthotic insole device 100. FIG. 1 shows an orthotic insole device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the orthotic insole device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 140 to adhere to a shoe sandal 5 and may correct the shape of the foot 141 of a user 140, which may provide eased walking movement, and alternately reduced foot pain. As illustrated, the orthotic insole device 100 may include a left insole and a right insole 110, each having a first surface 120 and a second surface 130. The left insole and right insole 110 may provide a customizable fit for the user's foot arch 142 when the left insole and right insole 110 are coupled with the footbed 10 of a shoe sandal 5.

According to one embodiment, the orthotic insole device 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the orthotic insole device 100 may further include a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the orthotic insole device 100 (such that the orthotic insole device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 2A shows the orthotic insole device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the orthotic insole device 100 may include a left insole and a right insole 110, each having a first surface 120 and a second surface 130. The first surface 120 may include an elevated heel-rest 200, a raised inner-foot arch support 210 and an extension 220. The elevated heel-rest 200, the raised inner-foot arch support 210, and the extension 220 may be configured to supportably-retain a user's foot 141 (FIG. 1) when attached to a shoe sandal 5 (FIG. 1). In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the raised inner-foot arch 210 support may be configured to be a plurality of heights to allow a customizable fit for the user's foot arch 142 (FIG. 1). In addition, the extension 220 may be structured in a plurality of lengths to allow for an extension of support and comfort, as desired.

In continuing to refer to FIG. 2A, the second surface 130 of the left insole and the right insole 110 may be configured to be a substantially planar surface 230. The second surface 130 may further be configured to have an adhesive layer 231 proximate to the substantially planar surface 230. The adhesive layer 231 may be affixed to the footbed 10 (FIG. 1) of a shoe sandal 5 (FIG. 1) in a manner to support the user's foot 141 (FIG. 1) when the shoe sandal 5 (FIG. 1) is worn. As above, the left insole and the right insole 110 may be configured in structural and functional combination be adhered to a shoe sandal 5 (FIG. 1) to correct the shape of a user's foot 141 (FIG. 1) with the elevated heel-rest 200 and the raised inner-foot arch support 210. Use of the left insole and the right insole 110 may provide eased walking movement, and alternately reduced pain.

In further referring to FIG. 2A, the left insole and the right insole 110 may be substantially made of elastomeric materials 240, which may provide foot cushioning and reduce joint stress during walking. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the first surface 120 may include a viscoelastic polyurethane foam covering which may further reduce foot pressure point stress during use. Further, the left insole and the right insole may be substantially made of germ- and alternately bacteria-resistant materials to reduce germ and bacteria transfer to the foot. The left insole and the right insole 110 may also be configured to have internal shock absorption pads located in a manner which may provide additional reductions in foot pressure point stress and joint stress. In addition, the first surface 120 may further have raised protrusions which may be configured to simulate a massage-effect on foot pressure points during use. In an other embodiment of the present disclosure, the left insole and the right insole 110 may be substantially made of carbon fiber composite materials, which may provide a firm support and a specific shape to the user's foot 141 (FIG. 1) during use.

In referring now to FIG. 2B; FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The left insole and the right insole 110 may be configured to cup the heel portion of the foot of a user 140 (FIG. 1), which may provide additional stability and support during walking activities. In an additional embodiment of the present disclosure, the elevated heel-rest 200 may be configured to be a plurality of heights to allow the user 140 (FIG. 1) a customizable heel-rest height, which may provide for additional stability and walking comfort.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In referring now to the second surface 130, the second surface 130 may be configured to have an adhesive layer 231 proximate to the substantially planar surface 230. The adhesive layer 231 may further have an adhesive backing 232 proximate to the adhesive layer 231. The adhesive layer 231 may be substantially made of a contact adhesive, which may provide for a permanent installation with a shoe sandal 5 (FIG. 1). Further, the adhesive layer 231 may be configured to be heat resistant when repeatedly exposed to body heat when in prolonged contact with a user's foot 141 (FIG. 1). Also, the adhesive layer 231 may further be durable against environmental elements such as water, dirt, and ultra-violet rays.

In referring now to the adhesive backing 232, the adhesive backing 232 may be configured to be able to be removed from the adhesive layer 230 when installation with the footbed 10 (FIG. 1) of a shoe sandal 5 (FIG. 1) is desired. In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the adhesive backing 232 may be configured with a tab which may allow for easier grasping when removal of the adhesive backing 232 from the adhesive layer 230 is desired.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The orthotic insole device 100 may be beneficial for use when adhered to a shoe sandal 5 and may correct the shape of the foot 141 (FIG. 1) of a user 140 (FIG. 1) and may provide eased walking movement, and alternately reduced foot pain. As illustrated, the orthotic insole device 100 may include a left insole and a right insole 110 configured to be coupled with the footbed 10 of a shoe sandal 5 to correct the shape of a user's foot 141 (FIG. 1) when in contact with the elevated heel-rest 200 and the raised inner-foot arch support 210. The left insole and the right insole 110 may be configured to be a plurality of sizes to accommodate a plurality of foot sizes of a user 140 (FIG. 1). Further, the left insole and the right insole 110 may be configured in a plurality of colors to coordinate with a plurality of colors of shoe sandals 5. As above, the extension 220 may be configured to be a plurality of lengths to allow the user 140 (FIG. 1) a customizable length of padding for the user's foot 141 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use 500 for the left insole and the right insole 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 500 for the left insole and the right insole 100 may include one or more components or features of the orthotic insole device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 500 for use of orthotic insole device 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, holding a left insole, and alternately a right insole; step two 502, grasping the adhesive backing; step three 503, removing the adhesive backing; step four 504, pressing the left insole, and alternately the right insole, the a footbed of a shoe sandal; step five 505, holding the shoe sandal; step 506, grasping the adhesive backing; and step seven 507, removing the left insole, and alternately the right insole, from the footbed of the shoe sandal.

It should be noted that steps 505, 506, and 507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for use with the left insole and the right insole (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An orthotic insole device, the device comprising: a left insole and a right insole, each of said left insole and said right insole including; a first surface having an elevated heel-rest, a raised inner-foot arch support and an extension, said elevated heel-rest, said raised inner-foot arch support and said extension configured to supportably-retain a foot; and a second surface configured to be a substantially planar surface and having an adhesive layer proximate to said substantially planar surface and an adhesive backing proximate to said adhesive layer; and wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured in structural and functional combination be adhered to a shoe sandal to correct a shape of a foot of a user with said elevated heel-rest and said raised inner-foot arch support, and to provide eased walking movement, and alternately to reduce pain.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said left insole and said right insole are substantially made of elastomeric materials to provide foot cushioning.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said left insole and said right insole are substantially made of carbon fiber composite materials to provide firm support and shape to the foot during use.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said first surface has a viscoelastic polyurethane foam covering to reduce foot pressure point stress during use.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured to have internal shock absorption pads to reduce foot pressure point stress.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said first surface has raised protrusions configured to simulate a massage-effect on foot pressure points during use.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured to be a plurality of sizes to accommodate a foot size of a user.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured in a plurality of colors to accommodate use in a plurality of colors of shoe sandals.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is substantially made of a contact adhesive for a permanent installation with a shoe sandal.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said left insole and said right insole are substantially made of germ- and alternately bacteria-resistant materials to reduce germ and bacteria transfer to the foot.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is heat resistant when repeatedly exposed to a user's body heat from the foot.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is durable against environmental elements including water, dirt, and ultra-violet rays.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein said elevated heel-rest is configured to be a plurality of heights to allow said user a customizable heel-rest height for walking comfort.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein said extension is configured to be a plurality of lengths to allow said user a customizable length of padding for said foot.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein said raised inner-foot arch support is configured to be a plurality of heights to allow a customizable fit for said user's foot arch.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein said adhesive backing is configured to be able to be removed from said adhesive layer for installation with said shoe sandal.
 17. An orthotic insole device, the device comprising: a left insole and a right insole, each of said left insole and said right insole including; a first surface having an elevated heel-rest, a raised inner-foot arch support and an extension, said elevated heel-rest, said raised inner-foot arch support and said extension configured to supportably-retain a foot; and a second surface configured to be a substantially planar surface and having an adhesive layer proximate to said substantially planar surface and an adhesive backing proximate to said adhesive layer; wherein said left insole and said right insole are substantially made of elastomeric materials to provide foot cushioning; wherein said first surface has raised protrusions configured to simulate a massage-effect on foot pressure points during use; wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured to be a plurality of sizes to accommodate a foot size of a user; wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured in a plurality of colors to accommodate use in a plurality of colors of shoe sandals; wherein said adhesive layer is substantially made of a contact adhesive for a permanent installation with a shoe sandal; wherein said left insole and said right insole are substantially made of germ- and alternately bacteria-resistant materials to reduce germ and bacteria transfer to the foot; wherein said adhesive layer is heat resistant when repeatedly exposed to a user's body heat from a foot; wherein said adhesive layer is durable against environmental elements such as water, dirt, and ultra-violet rays; wherein said elevated heel-rest is configured to be a plurality of heights to allow said user a customizable heel-rest height for walking comfort; wherein said extension is configured to be a plurality of lengths to allow said user a customizable length of padding for said foot; wherein said raised inner-foot arch support is configured to be a plurality of heights to allow a customizable fit for said user's foot arch; wherein said adhesive backing is configured to be able to be removed from said adhesive layer for installation with said shoe sandal; and wherein said left insole and said right insole are configured in structural and functional combination be adhered to a shoe sandal to correct a shape of a foot of a user with said elevated heel-rest and said raised inner-foot arch support, and to provide eased walking movement, and alternately to reduce pain.
 18. The orthotic insole device of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the orthotic insole device is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of use of an orthotic insole device, the method comprising the steps of: holding a left insole, and alternately a right insole; grasping an adhesive backing; removing said adhesive backing; and pressing said left insole, and alternately said right insole on a footbed of a shoe sandal.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: holding said shoe sandal; grasping said adhesive backing; and removing said left insole, and alternately said right insole from said footbed of said shoe sandal. 